Transcend 4Gb/CF 133 [8/14] Flash storage device performance

COMMITTED T O MEMORY

kingston.com/ ash

Flash Storage Device Performance

Flash card storage device performance depends on the following three factors:

• The speci c Flash memory chips used: Generally, there is a tradeo between the

high-speed and more expensive Single-Level Cell (SLC) Flash chips, and the standard

speed and more a ordable Multi-Level Cell (MLC) or Multi-Bit Cell (MBC) Flash chips.

• The Flash storage device’s controller: Today’s Flash storage devices have a built-in

Flash memory controller. This special chip manages the interface to the host device,

and handles all the reads from and writes to the Flash chips on the Flash storage device.

If the host controller is capable of supporting faster data transfer speeds, the use of

optimized Flash controllers can result in signi cant time savings when reading or

writing data into the Flash memory. For example, Kingston uses optimized,

high-performance Flash controllers in its Elite Pro/Ultimate Flash cards and DataTraveler

Hi-Speed USB Flash drives.

• The host device to which the Flash storage device is connected to: If the host device

(computer, digital camera, cell phones, etc.) is limited to speci c read and write speeds,

using faster Flash storage devices will not deliver higher performance. For example, using

a Hi-Speed USB Flash drive on a computer that supports only the slower USB speeds

will not result in faster transfers. In addition, computers need to be properly con gured to

support faster transfers in both hardware and software. In the case of a PC, the system

board will need to have built-in Hi-Speed USB 2.0 connectors, and the Operating System

(e.g., Windows) will also need to have the proper USB 2.0 drivers installed in order to be

able to support Hi-Speed USB transfers.

For details on USB Performance, refer to Appendix A.

Flash memory product manufacturers provide “x-speed” ratings for Flash cards. However,

due to a lack of industry standards, comparing di erent Flash products may prove di cult for

consumers. For details, see kingston.com/ ash/x

Kingston works closely with global semiconductor and controller manufacturers to

ensure that Kingston Flash cards deliver superior price/performance to its customers. For

enthusiasts and advanced customers demanding the highest performance, Kingston o ers

the Elite Pro/Ultimate line of CompactFlash and SD cards, and the DataTraveler Hi-Speed

USB Flash drives.

USB Flash drives o ers

an easy way to transfer

 les from a digital device

to a computer.

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